Types of CDBG grants

CDBG Economic Development

CDBG Economic Development grants provide funds through an annual set-aside for activities, which create and retain employment, primarily for low and moderate income people, by providing business financing through Regional Development Corporations (RDC) and Economic Development Entities (EDE), or through public facility improvements to support economic development efforts. The main goal in this category is to create jobs that provide good wages, benefits, and training programs. CDBG Economic Development Funds can be used for acquisition of land and buildings, construction of commercial buildings, purchase of machinery and equipment, employee training, and public facilities improvements. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Municipalities and counties can apply to use the grant funds in a variety of ways, but typically the funds are subgranted to a Regional Development Corporation (RDC), or Economic Development Entity (EDE), or used directly by the municipality. The maximum amount awarded to a municipality for economic develop is $500,000 a year (this total is not counted against CDBG awards in other catagories).

RDCs and EDEs can use the CDBG Economic Development funds to make loans to businesses, to acquire and develop real property for sale or lease, to businesses. In both cases the for-profit businesses commit to creating jobs for low and moderate income people. At least 60% of the jobs being created must be available to low and moderate income people. For each $1 of CDBG funds requested, $1 of non-CDBG money must be committed to the project. Matching funds can come from the business, the municipality or other sources and can be in the form of debt, equity, or the donation of land to an RDC or EDE. The commitment of match must be provided on submission of the application to CDFA.

When used directly by a municipality, funds are used to build or upgrade publicly owned infrastructure which will support the for-profit businesses in their need to expand, resulting in jobs for low and moderate income people.

CDBG Housing and Public Facilities Grants

Affordable housing and housing rehabilitation grants provide a municipality with the funds to purchase, rehabilitate, expand, and improve the condition and supply of housing for low and moderate income homeowners and tenants. CDBG funds are often sub- granted to nonprofit affordable housing developers for these purposes.

Public Facilities grants include water and sewer system improvements, transitional and homeless shelters, sidewalks, handicapped access, and neighborhood or community centers that provide public services to low and moderate income people.

The maximum amount awarded to a municipality for housing and public facilities is $500,000 a year (this total is not counted against CDBG awards in other catagories). Applications for housing and public facilities applications are accepted on the last Monday of January and July of each year.

To apply for funds, interested persons should review the CDBG Program Rules, Rules/Appendices, HS & PF Application and Recent Awards to help you decide the best route to take in preparing your application.

CDBG Emergency and Unanticipated Events Grants

Grant funds are available for eligible CDBG projects which result from emergencies and unanticipated events that have a serious and immediate threat to public health and safety and must benefit low to moderate income people. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The maximum amount awarded to a municipality for an emergency is $350,000 a year for a community whose population is less than 10,000- and $500,000 a year for a community whose population is greater than 10,000 (this total is not counted against CDBG awards in other catagories).

To apply for funds, interested persons should review the CDBG Program Rules, Rules/Appendices, Application and Recent Awards to help you decide the best route to take in preparing your application.

CDBG Planning Grants

The objectives of a feasibility study grant are to determine whether or not a proposed CDBG project is feasible and/or to recommend specific action(s) to be undertaken and that at least 51% of the intended beneficiaries will be of low or moderate income. Eligible activities include income surveys, preliminary architectural and engineering design, cost estimates, and market analysis. Applications are accepted on the last business day, Monday through Friday, of April and October each year.

The maximum amount awarded to a municipality for a planning grant is $12,000 a year (this total is not counted against CDBG awards in other catagories).

To apply for funds, interested persons should review the CDBG Program Rules, Rules/Appendices, Application and Recent Awards to help you decide the best route to take in preparing your application.

About CDFA

Created in 1983, the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) supports affordable housing and economic development activities that benefit low and moderate income citizens in New Hampshire.

CDFA administers nearly $25 million in funding resources, which includes a combination of state tax credits and federal Community Development Block Grant, and Energy Reduction Funds. We support the development of vibrant and resilient communities by providing financial resources to nonprofits, community development organizations, counties, municipalities, and for-profit businesses. These organizations, in partnership with CDFA, create affordable housing, support the formation of new jobs and help retain existing employment for low and moderate income New Hampshire residents.